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How precious are Your thoughts to me, O LORD ... how vast is the sum of them!

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Welcome to a New Year

It’s the first post of the year on Kelsey’s Notebook! That means I should have some resolutions or goals to share, right? Or at least something insightful to say in general about entering a new year and leaving the old one?

I won’t be very insightful, I’m afraid, but I’ll have a look back on some highlights of 2015…

1) England Adventure published in March.2) Suit and Suitability’s first draft finished. (I think that’s the first time I’ve finished a full-length novel draft in less than a year!)3) Made wonderful memories with friends that warm my heart every time I think of them.4) Visited Ohio in September and did on-location research for the first time.5) Started “officially” editing novels.6) Made a baby quilt (my first) from start to finish…

7) For my nephew that I’ve been looking forward to meeting for half the year!

As for 2016, I haven’t made many goals; I have ideas of what I’d like to do, but life can be so unpredictable that I don’t want to tie myself down to anything. I guess if I were to put out a list, it would look something like this:

1) Utterly complete Suit and Suitability, down to fixing the last typo.2) Make a lot of headway on whatever my next serious writing project is (I’ve narrowed it down, but still not 100% positive on which it is).3) Do volunteer work.4) Read more classics than I read last year (I only read six “true” classics, so hopefully that will be easy).5) Make memories with friends, old and new.6) Travel.7) Spend time with my nephew.

Basically I just want to be available for whatever the Lord has for me to do! Things can change as fast as 2015 turned into 2016, but God is with us every step of the way. I pray He directs my paths.

Thanks to Deborah O’Carroll for giving me the idea to a looking backward/looking forward post! What are your past highlights of 2015 and your future highlights of 2016?

Happy New Year! May God Be With You And Guide You!

4 comments:

I loved reading this! Sounds like you had a wonderful and interesting year! :) (I'm glad my post could inspire another such wonderful post! :D) Oh my goodness, the baby quilt is ADORABLE!! You made that? :O I'm in awe. I love it! I hope your year will be a blessed and wonderful one, and that you will accomplish your goals and find God's plan for you in the year! ^_^ Happy new year! <3

Thank you, Deborah! I sure enjoyed your post. :) The quilt was a long process...like two or three whole months. But it was fun, and gave me something new to try! Thank you! Happy new year to you, too! <3

It's always refreshing to look back at what you accomplished over the past year and make plans for the next. Officially editing novels now, eh? That's exciting. I love watching as friends succeed at doing what they love most =)

I'd have to say the biggest highlights of last year for me were the birth of Hannah (firstborn!) and finally publishing "Road to Nowhere" (first book!).

As far as goals, I can relate to number 2 - I've got ideas of where I want to go with my writing, but my experience with "Road to Nowhere" has left me wondering whether or not to try to continue that thread or to take a different road. One way or another, whether immediately or gradually, I plan to eventually move more into sci-fi (a genre I feel I'd fit into much more naturally). Btw, I know it's not typically your thing, but if you happen to have any good Christian sci-fi within that vast repertoire of books you've read, let me know. I'm curious to see what is out there in this seemingly underdeveloped niche (most of the sci-fi I've encountered seems to be heavily influenced by atheistic and new age themes).

Publishing your first book is super exciting (which reminds me, I need to get a print copy!). And I can only imagine how Exciting is the birth of your firstborn! So 2015 was an incredible year for you. :)

Yeah...I've started two different stories, trying out which one feels right to keep working on... It's especially hard when you're kind of committed to a series, but aren't sure if it should continue or not.

As far as sci-fi goes, I admit I don't read much, but I can think of two sci-fi authors right off the bat you might try: J. Grace Pennington with her "Firmament" series and Sarah Scheele (some of hers is fantasy, some is sci-fi). If I think of any other good ones I'll let you know.

About Me

I am a disciple of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah of Israel, and I strive to make His teachings the rule of my life. I love to write, mainly novels, and I am working to use that to glorify my Lord. I love to study the Bible, Israel, classic literature, history, classical music, martial arts, and lots of other subjects. There are so many things to do and learn!